Sunday, December 14, 2008

Lookie What I Scored

Look what I scored today at the second hand store. I only have one other book. It's good, The Complete Book of Sewing Shortcuts by Claire Shaeffer, but I don't have any basic reference books. This was perfect for me.

It goes over everything from what different design elements do for your form to . . .

. . . what colors and textures do for your shape . . .

. . . to how different fabrics are woven or knitted together to . . .

. . . tailoring techniques in jackets (could have used this in the Great Coat Sew Along) . . .

Wow - this post has taken me for a trip down memory lane! My mum had that book (even though she wasn't much of a sewer) and I remember devouring it as a young girl when I started teaching myself how to sew. I used to love the part about the tailoring as well - the diagrams made it all look so easy! Fast forward 30+ years and I still don't know how to padstitch :D

I read so many great reviews of this book and wanted to buy one until I saw the photos of the inside. It looked really familiar. I checked my sewing books and realized that I have a Slovene translation of that book at home and have used it a lot of times. I just never bothered to check the publisher of the original.This really is a wonderful reference book.

I envy you. I think we have the same book in our library down town, but to own one is something completely different.I only have one sewing book: Sewing with Burda from 1978 and use it quite often, so yours, which is quite a book, with many more pages than Sewing with Burda, will be very helpful.

I have the updated version of the Reader's Digest one and love it! My abolute fave used books, however, are the ones by Adele Margolis. How to Make Clothes that Fit and Flatter is a true gem. The woman was a genius!

I have that version, too, but had completely forgotten about it. I remember the joy I had as a teenager/young adult reading through it and devouring its contents. Thank you so much for reminding me of this great resource!

Yes, I have my mother's copy! I suggest this book to every sewer/sewist I know because it has almost everything. I also have their Needlework companion book which covers cross-stitch, crewel, embroidery, etc.

I have the Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing..bought it new way back when. I spent many nights with that book when I lost track of time and pulled all nighters trying to get something finished. Now I'm asleep by 9:30.

Lucky you! I have that book, that edition, and I love it. I used it first years ago, to help me sew the 3 bridesmaids dresses for my sister's wedding, when all I had done for sewing before that was sew curtains and doll dresses. Enjoy!

Dawn-This was a required text book for the Apparel Design Curriculum at El Centro in Dallas (the closest thing to having an FIT or Parsons in the big D)in the early 90's. Dallas used to have quite a fashion design/apparel manufacturing colony, before manufacturing was shipped overseas. It is wonderful.